Kakamega County recorded the highest average bribe (Ksh79,305), according to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025 released on April 9.
According to the report, other counties with high average bribes include West Pokot at Ksh16,400, Isiolo at Ksh13,912, Vihiga at Ksh12,389, and Garissa at Ksh12,297.
The report showed that in Kakamega, large bribe amounts were mainly linked to dealings with judicial officers.
Counties with the lowest average bribes were Kitui at Ksh2,168, Siaya at Ksh2,155, Nyamira at Ksh1,655, Kilifi at Ksh1,559, and Baringo at Ksh1,314.
“The top five counties with the largest average bribes were Kakamega (KES 79,305), West Pokot (KES 16,400), Isiolo (KES 13,912), Vihiga (KES 12,389), and Garissa (KES 12,297). In Kakamega County, huge amounts of bribes were made to judicial officers,” read part of the report.
“The least average bribes were recorded in Kitui (2,168), Siaya (2,155), Nyamira (KES 1655), Kilifi (1,559), and Baringo (KES 1,314) counties.”
Distribution of Bribes Paid in Cash
Most bribes paid in 2025 were small amounts. About 51.8% were below Ksh1,500.
Another 18% ranged between Ksh1,500 and Ksh2,499, while 11.7% were between Ksh2,500 and Ksh4,999.
As per the report, around 9% of bribes were between Ksh5,000 and Ksh9,999, while 8% were between Ksh10,000 and Ksh49,999.
Only a small share involved larger sums, with 1.1% between Ksh50,000 and Ksh99,999, and about 1% exceeding Ksh100,000.
EACC on Bribes Paid in Cash by County
Most bribes paid across counties were below Ksh1,500. The counties with the highest share of these small bribes were Nyamira at 74.4%, Kilifi at 71.1%, Bomet at 70.8%, Murang’a at 68.4%, and Kiambu at 66.5%.
On the other hand, a small number of counties recorded higher-value bribes of Ksh100,000 and above.
These were led by Isiolo at 7.9%, Kakamega at 6.3%, Bungoma at 3.8%, Elgeyo Marakwet at 3.8%, and Taita Taveta at 3.5%.
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| Category | Counties | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bribes Below Ksh1,500 | Nyamira | 74.4% |
| Kilifi | 71.1% | |
| Bomet | 70.8% | |
| Murang’a | 68.4% | |
| Kiambu | 66.5% | |
| Bribes Ksh100,000 and Above | Isiolo | 7.9% |
| Kakamega | 6.3% | |
| Bungoma | 3.8% | |
| Elgeyo Marakwet | 3.8% | |
| Taita Taveta | 3.5% |
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Bribes Paid by Income Level
The survey focused on respondents who reported paying a bribe just once in the 12 months prior. The EACC findings were as follows:
- Ksh0–9,999: Bribes were mostly paid to judges (100%), civil registration officials (87.2%), and immigration officers (86.6%).
- Ksh10,000–14,999: Payments were made to elected county representatives (100%), registration of persons officials (96.7%), and civil registration officers (88.9%).
- Ksh15,000–19,999: Bribes went to immigration officers (100%), civil registration officers (89.5%), and land registry officials (72%).
- Ksh20,000–24,999: Bribes were paid mainly to immigration officers, prosecutors, magistrates, elected county representatives, and public utility officers.
- Ksh25,000–29,999: Payments were made to civil registration officers (100%), elected county representatives (100%), and tax/revenue officers (92%).
- Ksh30,000–49,999: Bribes went to immigration officers (100%), prosecutors, judges, magistrates, and health workers.
- Ksh50,000–99,999: Bribes were mostly paid to judges/magistrates, registration of persons officials, civil registration officers, and teachers or lecturers.
- Above Ksh100,000: Payments were made to land registry officers, tax/revenue officers, registration of persons officials, and members of parliament.
